The long-simmering tension between retired Australian tennis icon Ash Barty and American firebrand Danielle Collins—dubbed a “secret feud” by Aussie legend Pat Rafter—has resurfaced amid Collins’ controversial 2025 Australian Open run, where her on-court antics drew boos and reignited memories of their frosty 2022 AO final clash. Barty, who shocked the world by retiring weeks after defeating Collins 6-3, 7-6(2) to claim her home Slam, has alluded to their “rocky relationship” in her memoir *Out of the Blue* (2024), describing matches against the “Danimal” as “ugly” and “tiring.” Rafter’s 2022 revelation of “no love lost” between the pair, coupled with Collins’ recent crowd-baiting (cupping her ear and blowing sarcastic kisses after beating Aussie Destanee Aiava), has exposed the depth of their antagonism, painting Collins as a “villain” in Australian eyes.
The 2022 AO Final: Where the Feud Boiled Over
Barty entered the final as world No. 1 and overwhelming favorite, but Collins—then ranked No. 30 and on a hot streak (semifinals in Adelaide and AO quarters over Naomi Osaka)—made it personal. The American, known for her aggressive baseline game and fiery demeanor, stormed back from a 1-5 deficit in the second set to force a tiebreak, briefly rattling the composed Aussie. Barty ultimately prevailed in a dominant 7-2 breaker, but the cold post-match handshake—uncharacteristic for the gracious Queenslander—hinted at underlying friction.
Rafter, a two-time US Open champion and Barty confidant, spilled details in a 2022 interview with *The Australian*: “I knew with her and Danielle, they had a bit of a… what’s the word… there was no love lost anyway. Danielle’s pretty feisty. And Ash didn’t want to lose to her.” He noted Barty’s extra “fire in her belly,” interpreting Collins’ resilience as a personal slight. Collins, meanwhile, later admitted the home crowd’s raucous support for Barty “annoyed” her, fueling her comeback bid. In her on-court interview after a 2025 AO win, Collins quipped about the “big, fat pay-cheque” from beating Aiava, drawing more ire and comparisons to her Barty grudge.
Barty’s memoir adds layers: She recounted dreading a semifinal draw against Collins, writing, “Who I’ll be playing against is decided the next day. Iga Swiatek is playing Danielle Collins, and for me the equation is simple.” Describing their style clash as “ugly” due to Collins’ relentless power, Barty implied the American’s intensity drained her mentally—a sentiment echoed in her post-retirement reflections on avoiding “toxic” rivalries.
Roots of the Rivalry: Style Clash and Personal Edges
The feud traces to their contrasting personas: Barty, the serene, slice-and-dice tactician who prioritized joy and family (retiring at 25 to avoid burnout), versus Collins, the brash “Danimal” whose endometriosis battle and aggressive trash-talk (e.g., calling out crowds) polarize fans. Their only prior meeting was a 2021 Adelaide quarterfinal, where Collins edged Barty 6-3, 6-3—Collins’ first top-10 win, but one Barty later called “tiring” for its grinding rallies.
Collins’ 2025 AO antics—heckling fans and celebrating with mock bows—revived the narrative. Booed off Rod Laver Arena after a third-round loss to Madison Keys (6-4, 6-4), she blamed the crowd: “I kind of knew what it was going to be like… the crowd was pretty pro-me [against Aiava] and not for Danielle.” Barty’s close friend Casey Dellacqua defended Collins on Channel 9, saying, “I don’t know about you guys but I didn’t mind seeing it,” but Rafter’s old quote resurfaced, amplifying perceptions of Collins as Barty’s “antagonist.”
| Match | Date/Tournament | Surface | Winner | Score | Key Tension |
|——-|—————–|———|——–|——-|————-|
| QF | Jan 2021 (Adelaide) | Hard | Collins | 6-3, 6-3 | Collins’ first top-10 win; Barty called it “ugly” in memoir. |
| F | Jan 2022 (Australian Open) | Hard | Barty | 6-3, 7-6(2) | Collins’ 5-1 second-set lead; cold handshake, Rafter’s “no love lost” reveal. |
Fan and Analyst Reactions: Villain or Villainized?
Social media erupted during Collins’ 2025 AO run, with #BartyVsCollins trending as fans unearthed Rafter’s comments: “Ash got the last laugh—retired on top after smoking Danimal” (@TennisAussie, 12k likes). Critics labeled Collins a “brat” for her antics, while supporters saw it as “theatre” akin to John McEnroe. Tennis Forum users debated: “Collins gave Barty personality on court,” but many called the feud “lame” based on “gut feel.”
Analysts like those at *The Guardian* noted Barty’s win ended a 44-year home AO drought for Aussie women, but Collins’ fire made it memorable. Barty, now a commentator and mother, has stayed above the fray, but her memoir’s subtle digs suggest the “feud” lingers as a footnote in her legacy—one where she emerged unscathed, while Collins battles perception as tennis’s resident antagonist.
